INDIANAPOLIS – The 2015 Angel Tree Holiday Drive took place prior to the Colts vs. Broncos game on Sunday, November 8. CBS4 personalities, Salvation Army volunteers and Colts Junior Cheerleaders were gathered at the Lucas Oil Stadium gates to collect new, unwrapped toys and new, unwrapped clothing items at the Colts Community Collection Stations, presented by Toyota.
For two hours prior to Sunday's game, donation bins were filling up quickly with various items such as brand new clothes, board games, stuffed animals and much more. By conclusion at kickoff, the drive was able to bring in a total of 650 items to help make the holidays special for those in need. Colts fans weren't just headed to the game with armfuls of gifts, but also they were supporting the cause with monetary donations, as the collection was able to raise over $3,400. Volunteers also helped pass out camo military ribbons to fans in attendance in honor of Veteran's Day and the Salute to Service initiative.
The Salvation Army is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides food assistance to nearly 800 families and Christmas gifts to more than 2,100 children every holiday season. All donations went towards the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program, which brings joy and happiness to those less fortunate during the holiday season by providing clothing, special-needs gifts, and other wished-for items such as toys. The Angel Tree program has been running for 30 years to ensure that these children have a wonderful holiday season with their families.
Fans are still able to learn more or contribute to the Angel Tree Program by going to www.salvationarmyindiana.org/need-help/christmas-assistance. The Colts Gameday Collections program will continue to run throughout the 2015 season with a different charitable collection held prior to each home game. Upcoming collections include SACKing Hunger, Books for Youth, and the Damar Services Collection. A complete list of future collections is available at www.colts.com/collections.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000 communities nationwide. The Salvation Army is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
